The argument of those who are dazzled by the speed, power and reflexes of Jones relies on things other than what makes real greatness - things like skill, quality of competition, and how a fighter reacts to real adversity. Hagler cannot match the handspeed of Jones, but in these categories - which I argue are more important in boxing - he trounces Jones. And that would make all the difference in the world in my book.

Jones fought better overall opposition than Hagler minus Duran and Hearns.



Talent is not skill. You can get away with plenty when you fight ordinary opponents or good fighters who may be more technically sound, but are too slow or deliberate to deliver or simply too weary.


I don't know what your implying with this comment but Jones fought some of the best opposition of his era.

AND ANYWAY, if anybody has the tools to deal with Jones on the outside (and not just slipping and feinting just out of range like Eubank would do or moonwalking like Nunn would), it's Hagler - he maximized his speed with a deceptive reach and superb timing, he was also great at setting up counters with good evasions and footwork, and was also the master of tricking opponents into setting themselves up. But he could also use 'Destruct and Destroy' mission - hunting Jones down, cutting him off, cornering him, and getting in his face, fully prepared to walk straight through a single lead right hand. And there'd be nowhere to go for Jones, and he wouldn't know what to do.

Hagler was also pretty slow Leonard who just come off 3 year lay off and had never fought at Middleweight beat Hagler by moving and not allowing Hagler to get set.


Please kids, don't say 'oh, but what if Roy just boxed him and used his speed'. Roy really was not a master boxer. Roy was out-feinted and out-boxed by Montell Griffin. Roy was given great trouble by southpaws Harding and Tarver. Basically skilled fighters who applied SKILLED pressure gave Jones a lot of trouble (and no, Joe Calzaghe does not come into that category).

No he was not outboxed or out-feinted by Griffin it was pretty close fight and Jones won forgetting the BS DQ and you bring this fight up but what happened in the rematch ?? it just goes to show you what Roy Jones could really do when he was fired up for a fight and you do know Jones had bicep injury after the 2nd round in the Harding fight right ?? and you do know Jones was past his best against Tarver yes ??

Eddie Futch gave Montell Griffin an effective strategy for Jones because Futch saw what everyone else was too dazzled to see - technical weaknesses. Griffin pressured him, stuck to his chest, and tried to pin him with hooks on the inside. Watch any of Roy's fights and when he is cornered and the opponent (usually just that - an opponent) is close and on him, he looked utterly bewildered.. stretching his neck, turning his head, even closing his eyes. This is where Hagler would be. And Hagler is far stronger than Griffin and Hopkins.


Griffin is nothing like Hagler at all Griffin was an awkward fighter and like i said earlier what happened in the rematch ??